81 Percent of Dollar Store Products Tested Contain Chemicals Linked To Learning Disabilities, Cancer and Serious Illnesses
There is no doubting the convenience of a dollar store. I mean, you can get almost everything you need in there, all for a dollar each. However, it might not be as good of an investment as you think.
The dollar store offers food, drinks, household cleaning products, decor, and pretty much everything else you would need. The best part is that you can get it all for a dollar each. However, it isn’t as cheap as you think. While it does cost a flat dollar, you’re compromising your health to save a dollar or two. In fact, HealthyStuff and the Campaign for healthier Solutions released a report regarding the products that the dollar store sells. The report consisted of a list of toxic ingredients found in dollar store products. The report is titled A Day Late and a Dollar Short.
The tests were performed on a number of dollar store products. They tested over 160 different things including jewelry, toys, school supplies, and other household items. The tests confirmed that there was over 81% (133 of 164 items) contained at least one hazardous chemical above levels of concern. They also sent a letter to 4 CEO’s of dollar store chains. These included dollar tree, dollar general, and family dollar. The letter urged them to stop poisoning low-income families with the sale of hazardous chemicals. These chains bring in more than $30 billion in revenue.
“People struggling to make ends meet are confined to shopping at the Dollar stores,” said Jose T. Bravo, National Coordinator for the Campaign for Healthier Solutions. “We are already disproportionately affected by pollution and lack of adequate medical care, and now we know we’re filling our homes and our bodies with chemicals released from Dollar store products. This needs to stop. ”
“We’ve tested 1,000’s of products from dozens of retailers over the last ten years, said Jeff Gearhart, HealthyStuff Research Director. “And on average the dollar store products are some of the poorest performings from a chemical hazard perspective. I am particularly concerned about the comparatively high percentage of products containing hazardous plasticizers. ”
The chemicals found in the dollar store products were linked to reduced fertility, health issues, diabetes, learning disabilities, asthma, and cancer. Although the price is convenient, it is a much better idea to pay the extra dollar or two for organic food. You’ll feel better, look better, and function better.